THE REPLACEMENT WINS IN SAN JOSE

On election night 2036, a janitor feels cheated out of a life he might have lived when his own clone becomes President. He goes on a bender to seek justice. But looking like the President has its consequences. Mike McNamara plays said President as well as his "original," under the direction of Sean Miller and his team, which includes producer Naz Khan, co-producer Brian Levin, art director Sarah Sharp and three-time Emmy winning cinematographer Mike Bove.

BIG WIN IN LONDON FOR THE REPLACEMENT

Big win in London for THE REPLACEMENT! The politically charged sci-fi thriller won Best Short Film honors at the 18th Annual Sci-Fi London International Film Festival.

On election night 2036, a janitor feels cheated out of a life he might have lived when his own clone becomes President. He goes on a bender to seek justice. But looking like the President has its consequences. Mike McNamara plays said President as well as his "original," under the direction of Sean Miller and his team, which includes producer Naz Khan, co-producer Brian Levin, art director Sarah Sharp and three-time Emmy winning cinematographer Mike Bove.

SOCAL PREMIERE AT NEWPORT BEACH FOR THE REPLACEMENT

THE REPLACEMENT will make its Southern California Premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival April 26 - May 3. Newport Beach Film Festival is Orange County California's largest entertainment event of the year, with more than 50,000 attendees expected.

On election night 2036, a janitor feels cheated out of a life he might have lived when his own clone becomes President. He goes on a bender to seek justice. But looking like the President has its consequences. Mike McNamara plays said President as well as his "original," under the direction of Sean Miller and his team, which includes producer Naz Khan, co-producer Brian Levin, art director Sarah Sharp and three-time Emmy winning cinematographer Mike Bove.

CO-STAR ON NBC SERIES CHICAGO FIRE

Mike McNamara's TV credits include co-starring on the NBC series CHICAGO FIRE as Casey's shady brother-in-law Jim Jordan, in Seasons One and Three of the popular show.

CHICAGO FIRE centers on the firefighters, rescue squad members and paramedics of Chicago Firehouse 51, deeply committed to their rewarding and exhilarating jobs, despite the inherent danger and stressors. The truck company is led by Lt. Matthew Casey, who sometimes butts heads with the leader of the rescue squad, the brash Lt. Kelly Severide. Regardless of personal tension, when it's time to face the job, all the courageous team members quickly put their issues aside and their lives on the line. Emmy-winner Dick Wolf serves as an executive producer.

WATCH THIS SUPERSHORT

If you have a moment to laugh, here is a one-minute vignette for you. The piece was edited together from some improvised scenes between Mike and his friend Beth Lacke while filming the feature OPEN TABLES. OPEN TABLES is currently festival-ing around the country, including stops at the Chicago International and LA Comedy Film Festivals.

GRAND JURY WINS FOR SAVAGE YOUTH IN FLORIDA & TEXAS

SAVAGE YOUTH earned Grand Jury awards across the country this week as the film received the Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature at the Florida Film Festival, while also bringing home hardware for Best Narrative Feature and Best Actor (Will Brittain) at the Victoria TX Film Festival.

LOS ANGELES PREMIERE AT HOLLYSHORTS

The Los Angeles Premiere of THE REPLACEMENT is set for one of the premier short film showcases in the country, the 14th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival. The award-winning sci-fi thriller premieres on Sunday, August 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California.

On election night 2036, a janitor feels cheated out of a life he might have lived when his own clone becomes President. He goes on a bender to seek justice. But looking like the President has its consequences. Mike McNamara plays said President as well as his "original," under the direction of Sean Miller and his team, which includes producer Naz Khan, co-producer Brian Levin, art director Sarah Sharp and three-time Emmy winning cinematographer Mike Bove.

BIG WIN IN FLORIDA FOR THE REPLACEMENT

Chicago-made sci-fi thriller THE REPLACEMENT brought home one of the Best Short Film Awards at this year’s Vero Beach Film Festival in sunny Florida. This year’s jury included legendary film critic Jeffrey Lyons and LA LA LAND producer Molly Smith. Mike was in Vero Beach to accept the award and represent the film over the course of the four-day weekend.

On election night 2036, a janitor feels cheated out of a life he might have lived when his own clone becomes President. He goes on a bender to seek justice. But looking like the President has its consequences. Mike McNamara plays said President as well as his "original," under the direction of Sean Miller and his team, which includes producer Naz Khan, co-producer Brian Levin, art director Sarah Sharp and three-time Emmy winning cinematographer Mike Bove.

'85 BEARS DOC SHUFFLES INTO THEATERS

Re-live the excitement of one of the most memorable teams in sports history, the 1985 Chicago Bears. The new documentary '85: THE GREATEST TEAM IN PRO FOOTBALL HISTORY shuffles its way into cinemas for a one-night-only screening in 250 theaters across the country, on Monday January 29th, just days before the Super Bowl. A lifelong Chicagoan and diehard Chicago Bears fan, Mike is proud of to be a part of this historic sports documentary as Associate Producer.

36TH BRUSSELS INTL FF PREMIERES THE REPLACEMENT

The 36th Annual Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival will host the International Premiere of THE REPLACEMENT April 3-15, at the the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Bruxelles.

On election night 2036, a janitor feels cheated out of a life he might have lived when his own clone becomes President. He goes on a bender to seek justice. But looking like the President has its consequences. Mike McNamara plays said President as well as his "original," under the direction of Sean Miller and his team, which includes producer Naz Khan, co-producer Brian Levin, art director Sarah Sharp and three-time Emmy winning cinematographer Mike Bove.

CALIFORNIA PREMIERE AT SONOMA FOR THE REPLACEMENT

THE REPLACEMENT will make its California Premiere at the 21st Annual Sonoma International Film Festival March 21-25.

On election night 2036, a janitor feels cheated out of a life he might have lived when his own clone becomes President. He goes on a bender to seek justice. But looking like the President has its consequences. Mike plays said President as well as his "original," under the direction of Sean Miller and his team, which includes producer Naz Khan, co-producer Brian Levin, art director Sarah Sharp and three-time Emmy winning cinematographer Mike Bove.

WORLD PREMIERE AT CANNES

When not in front of the camera, Mike occasionally dons the producer hat. Mike and his friend Chris Bergstrom (pictured here) are currently supporting the Midwest-made feature THEY as Co-Executive Producers. THEY just premiered as an Official Selection of the 70th Cannes Film Festival.

In THEY, fourteen-year-old J goes by the pronoun ”They” and lives with their parents in the suburbs of Chicago. J is exploring their gender identity while taking hormone blockers to postpone puberty. After two years of medication and therapy, J has to make a decision whether or not to transition. Over this crucial weekend while their parents are away, J’s sister Lauren and her Iranian friend/partner Araz arrive to take care of ”They”.

THEY is written and directed by Anahita Ghazvinizadeh. Executive producers include the great Jane Campion as well as McNamara's longtime friend Patty West. Click here for more about THEY.

WORLD PREMIERE FOR THE REPLACEMENT AT CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FF

The longest-running film festival in North America was the site of the long-awaited World Premiere for THE REPLACEMENT. The 52nd Annual Chicago International Film Festival brought this Chicago-made short film to the big screen on October 15th at AMC River East.

SLAMDANCE WORLD PREMIERE FOR SAVAGE YOUTH

SAVAGE YOUTH, directed by Michael Curtis Johnson (Slamdance 2016 Grand Jury Prize Winner HUNKY DORY), and produced by Michael Peluso (Producer of TV’s “The Voice” and “America’s Got Talent”) has been officially selected to premiere worldwide at this year’s Slamdance Film Festival. Savage Youth will be featured in the “Beyond” program. “The films in the Beyond Program exhibit singular directorial vision while sharing a common commitment to challenge audiences to step outside their comfort zones”, says Slamdance programmer, Josh Mandel. “These bold and adventurous filmmakers represent the most current voices in American independent film, and will continue to push boundaries in the years ahead.”

Mike McNamara serves as one of the Executive Producers for SAVAGE YOUTH behind the camera and plays the role of "Officer Jamison" in front of it.

In SAVAGE YOUTH, the lives of six troubled teens in a racially-divided small town take a violent turn over drugs and broken hearts. Based on true events.

THEY is written and directed by Michael Curtis Johnson. Cast includes Grace Victoria Cox (TWIN PEAKS), Will Brittain (KONG: SKULL ISLAND) and Sasha Feldman (SUN RECORDS). Click here for more about SAVAGE YOUTH

ROEPER RAVE, THEATRICAL RELEASE FOR MERCURY

It's not every day that a film gets a review like this from one of the most popular and influential critics in the entire United States. Here's Richard Roeper in the Chicago Sun-Times on MERCURY IN RETROGRADE:

Mike McNamara is one of the Co-Producers of this 100% Midwest-made film, which recently won Best Narrative Feature at the Full Bloom Festival in North Carolina. MERCURY IN RETROGRADE will make its Chicago Premiere at the Gene Siskel Film Center February 16-21, with cast and crew in attendance. Click here for tickets to the Premiere!

MM NAMED TO NEWCITY FILM50

Mike was once again named to NewCity's esteemed Film50 list, honoring the leaders of Chicago's burgeoning independent film community. Here's a clip from the magazine:

“We’re here to strengthen and celebrate the Chicago and Midwest filmmaking community, plain and simple,” Mike McNamara enthuses of the first Tuesday screening and film community meet-and-greet series, the Midwest Independent Film Festival. In its eleventh year, “We bring together directors, writers, producers, actors, editors that are building their career here in Chicago, we want to keep everyone busy working on each other’s projects here in town, making a living here rather than bouncing out to this coast or that. We shine a big fat spotlight on the great films being made here in Chicago and the Midwest.” McNamara also brings his energy to acting and the board of IFP/Chicago.

THE REPLACEMENT WRAPS

The short film THE REPLACEMENT has now wrapped production and is currently in post. THE REPLACEMENT is a dark comedy about the first clone President and his resentful 'original' who sees his life stolen by his many copies. Mike plays said President as well as his "original," under the direction of Sean Miller and his team, which includes producers Naz Khan and Brian Levin, art director Sarah Sharp and cinematographer Mike Bove.

HALFWAY NATIONAL VOD PREMIERE

HALFWAY has wrapped up its prolific festival run and is now heading into its nationwide VOD release. First stop: the Urban Movie Channel! Click here to find HALFWAY on Urban Movie Channel! Mike plays Greg, the blue collar antagonist in conflict with lead character Byron, played by Quinton Aaron of Oscar winner THE BLIND SIDE.

Cast includes GET OUT star Marcus Henderson, Amy Pietz of CAROLINE IN THE CITY, THE OFFICE and Jeffrey DeMunn of THE WALKING DEAD.

SOUL SESSIONS WRAPS

That's a wrap on the Chicago-made feature SOUL SESSIONS. Mike played the role of Jeffrey, alongside Adam Senn, Brooke Langton and Mike's good friend Antoine McKay of EMPIRE and Second City fame.

In SOUL SESSIONS, a superficial, soulless investment banker is saved when serendipity intervenes and he misses a doomed flight triggering guilt and depression that lead him on a journey to self-discovery and enlightenment.

SOUL SESSIONS filmed in and around Chicago, including Loop, Lakefront and Lincoln Park locations. They are looking for a finished film in late 2017 and a Spring/Summer 2018 release.

SAVAGE YOUTH SUMMER SHOOT

Mike plays Officer Jamison in the sledgehammer Illinois indie SAVAGE YOUTH, directed by Michael Curtis Johnson, fresh off the success of his Slamdance grand jury winner HUNKY DORY. In SAVAGE YOUTH, six young lives collide in the most horrific and twisted of ways. Based on true events. Currently in post-production; updates on festival premiere coming soon.

HALFWAY WINS GRAND JURY PRIZE

The Midwest-made drama HALFWAY took home the coveted Best Narrative Feature prize at the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival.

HALFWAY is the story of a recently released convict who finds himself trapped between his urban criminal past and his new life on probation as the only black man in a conservative white Wisconsin farm town. Mike plays Greg, the blue collar antagonist in conflict with said black man, played by Quinton Aaron of Oscar winner THE BLIND SIDE.

Cast includes GET OUT star Marcus Henderson, Amy Pietz of CAROLINE IN THE CITY, THE OFFICE and Jeffrey DeMunn of THE WALKING DEAD.

WORLD PREMIERE IN DALLAS

Mike headed to the Lone Star State with fellow cast members Quinton Aaron of Oscar winner THE BLIND SIDE and GET OUT star Marcus Henderson, producer Jonny Paterson and director Ben Caird for the World Premiere of HALFWAY at the prestigious Dallas International Film Festival. Mike plays Greg, the blue collar antagonist in conflict with Quinton's lead character Byron.

The debut feature from Ben Caird offers some pointed reflections on America’s broken justice system. Byron Smith (Quinton Aaron from Oscar-winnerTHE BLIND SIDE) is one of the lucky ones. On release from prison he is offered a job working on a struggling family farm in Wisconsin. He is the only black man in a white heartland. As he struggles to adjust to a world far beyond his comfort zone and a family riven with problems, outsider Byron is faced with stark choices if he is to remain on the straight and narrow. An involving, smartly observed drama that puts a human face to a national crisis.

HONORED BY SISKEL FILM CENTER

Mike was honored for his contributions to the Chicago filmmaking community by the Gene Siskel Film Center at its annual "Hollywood on State" Oscar Night. Mike's fellow honorees were filmmakers Pamela Sherrod Anderson, Xan Aranda, Stephen Cone, Ky Dickens and Maria Finitzo.

QWERTY NOW ON VOD

With a glowing review from the great Roger Ebert and a prolific festival run under its belt, QWERTY forges ahead into its national VOD release. Mike plays Zoe's petulant office antagonist Ken in this feature, directed by Bill Sebastian.

MM NAMED TO INAUGURAL FILM50 LIST

Mike was named to NewCity's inaugural Film50 list, honoring the leaders of Chicago's independent film community. Here's a clip from the magazine:

An understated but vibrant mood prevails at the Midwest Independent Film Festival at Landmark Century, which has the tagline, “The Best Films of the Midwest. The First Tuesday of Every Month.” Informal cocktail mixers precede a producer’s panel on the night’s program, followed by an independent feature from Illinois or surrounding states, with an after-party for further conversation. “It’s a full evening,” says Mike McNamara, a Chicago actor who co-founded the group in 2005. “That first Tuesday, if you’re just coming out for a great time, it’ll rival your Friday.” McNamara hates the word “networking.” “We celebrate strength in the community, you go to Sundance, you’re networking, but then everything’s a networking event if you look at it that way.” At first, the programmers didn’t know if they could even find the content to last six months, but as 2014 marks their tenth anniversary, McNamara says “it’s kind of mind-blowing” that they’ve established “a film festival for filmmakers. It’s for film lovers but we specifically focus on bringing the filmmakers together.” The most recent outreach has been to show films from “folks in the advertising community, this whole other creative community we’ve worked hard to welcome in.” The monthly setup is unusual in the film festival world. “The reason we make it a year-round event as opposed to ten or twelve straight days so that there is a place for the entire independent film community to come together all year round.”

DALLAS DEBUT FOR QWERTY

The Midwest-made comedy QWERTY makes its World Premiere at the prestigious Dallas International Film Festival. Mike plays Zoe's petulant office antagonist Ken in this feature, directed by Bill Sebastian.

This entertaining and heartwarming romantic comedy follows introverted 'word-nerd' Zoe, whose life is turned upside down when she meets her emotional match in irascible weirdo Marty. Before the adorable pair can live happily ever after, Zoe must gain the courage to enter the National Scrabble Championship and compete to become only the second woman in history to win the grand prize.